Hash Generator

What is a hash?

A cryptographic hash function takes any input — a word, a paragraph or a multi-gigabyte file — and produces a fixed-length string of characters called a digest. The same input always yields the same digest, but even a one-character change produces a completely different result, and you can't reverse a digest back into the original data.

How to use this hash generator

1. Enter text in the box, or click Hash a file instead to pick a file. Text hashes update live.
2. Read the digests. SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 are all computed at once.
3. Copy the one you need with the button beside it. Toggle uppercase if a system expects it.

Which algorithm should I use?

• SHA-256 is the modern default — fast, widely supported and secure for checksums and fingerprints.
• SHA-384 / SHA-512 offer larger digests, useful where a longer hash is required.
• SHA-1 is included for compatibility with older tools, but it's no longer considered collision-resistant — avoid it for security-critical use.

Verifying a download

Many projects publish a SHA-256 checksum next to their downloads. After downloading, hash the file here and compare the result against the published value — if they match exactly, the file arrived intact and untampered.

Frequently asked questions

Which hash algorithms are supported?

SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512. These are computed with the browser's built-in Web Crypto API. MD5 is intentionally left out — it's cryptographically broken and isn't supported by Web Crypto.

Is my text or file uploaded anywhere?

No. Hashing happens entirely in your browser. Your text and files never leave your device, so it's safe to hash sensitive content.

What can I use a hash for?

Verifying file integrity (comparing a download against a published checksum), deduplicating data, building cache keys, and storing fingerprints. Note that hashes are one-way — you can't recover the original input from a hash.

Why do I get a different hash for the same text?

Hashes are deterministic, so identical input always gives identical output. Differences usually come from an extra space, a trailing newline, or different character encoding. Even one changed byte completely changes the hash.

Can I hash large files?

Yes, within your device's memory. The file is read locally and hashed in the browser; very large files may take a moment and use more RAM.